Considering a Friend for Tumbles :)

It's apparent that Hannah isn't particularly fond of Tumbles jumping her, smacking her, and playing with her on a regular basis. All Hannah does is hiss and scream at him rather than play with him. I think she's afraid to admit he's the alpha and she's losing her "position" of superiority. It was fine as long as Callie was here because Callie acted as a go-between the two and Callie would play with Tumbles. Neither are violent or aggressive to the other, but there's just no chemistry or bond between them. Tumbles also would like to snuggle and Hannah's definitely not a snuggler, except with me.

Over the past few months, I feel like Tumbles is bored much of the time because Hannah won't play with him. We play with him using the laser pointer (they will actually take turns playing with it), the string on a wand toy, daBird, and the Cat Dancer, but he's still bored. I'm thinking another kitty of similar age would be great for him as they could play and roughhouse together.

What do the collective minds with years of kitty experience say? Is this is a good idea? Should we look for a male or female, or does it particularly matter? What considerations should I take into account regarding Hannah? Should we wait and give her more time?

So many questions and so much to think about. Of course, I'll have to convince the husband of the *need* for a playmate.

Awwww.... Callie

While there's never any guarantees, I'd say it sounds like a good idea. Normally I'd say add a male. In my experience they're more social. .... but Hannah did have a sister and isn't in love with Tumbles - so maybe just go searching for a kitty that's the right age and personality, and when the right one adopts you, let "fate" decide whether it's male or female?

FYI, our Spooky takes six months to accept a new kitty, and a full year to... "not be bothered" that the "new" cat is still here. If the dynamic was as you describe, and she had a playful little brother, I don't think more time would help. I think it'd be best for "annoying little brother" to have someone else on which to direct his attention.

Of course I think it's a good idea. From what I saw of Tumbles, he is very social with "those of his kind." He immediately sought out and rubbed on every cat he could get close to in the cattery at my neighbor's.

I think a cat of either sex, and one about his age, would be a great idea. I seem to be partial to boys, myself, as I find they are less "prissy" and "slap happy" than the females.

Please let me know if you're interested in a kitty from either of my 2 "sources." I can deliver from one, and my friend Paul can deliver as well as he lives in Ft Worth (but the kitties are less than a mile from me!). He just had 3 socialized kittens spayed/neutered/vaxed on Monday so they are ready to go: Brown Betty, Buddy Boy and Goldie. LOL

Of course I'd love it if you came here to choose as well. We could have lunch and you could meet my crew!!!

This could be a VERY exciting time!!!!

Good luck with the pushover....oh, I mean "the hub."

C

This just makes me think about Natalie_ca and her decision to adopt 2 kittens instead of one, in hopes they would keep each other occupied and not drive Abby crazy. Reading her posts, it seems that was the right thing to do! So I'd say start looking for a playmate for Tumbles, and probably don't worry too much about male or female, check out personalities, like others said. Good luck!

Holly is over a year old, and is a pain in the neck to Sneaky. She wants Sneaky to play, and Sneaky, being 10 years old is over it.

Sneaky's just now gotten over the whole hissing at everything that moved stage. And she's done that for a year now. She accepts Holly, but really doesn't want to play with her at all.

We were thinking about a playmate. Then we wound up with Jasper a week ago So far all Holly does is hiss at him. But she's really interested in him, and he's interested in her. But he's 10 too, so I don't know if they'll wind up being playmates or just housemates.

If I'd had it to do over again- I think I might have gone with either a kitten- or a cat that was around Holly's age. I don't think gender really matters, I think it's a moot point once they're either spayed or neutered (Jasper's neutered BTW.)

But we didn't have that choice- my neighbor inherited a cat that she was allergic to and just needed it out of her house..............

Cheryl

If you wanted to experiment, I could lend you FlambÃ[emoji]169[/emoji]. He's an inexhaustible player and gladly wrestles with much larger cats. He's on the small side, only about 8 pounds. He's technically a foster and available for adoption. Already neutered and vaccinated. What a deal!

I think it's a great idea!!

I don't know what Spencer and Katie would do without each other. They're always running and chasing and jumping on each other.

Originally Posted by mrblanche

If you wanted to experiment, I could lend you FlambÃ[emoji]169[/emoji]. He's an inexhaustible player and gladly wrestles with much larger cats. He's on the small side, only about 8 pounds. He's technically a foster and available for adoption. Already neutered and vaccinated. What a deal!

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OMG!!!! And he is fantastic! I am telling you! He jumped in my bag and was ready to come home with me! The most sociable cat EVER! He is a hoot! But Mike, I have a feeling you are going to miss that lil' man! He is too cute for words! What great kitty!

I think that's a great idea!!!
We got Hobbes a few weeks ago and sure it was a little stressful initially (mostly since we were not only new to multiple cats but new to cats on the whole), it seems so worth it when they play and cuddle. There are fights and bullying but I feel this way they can be more "kittens" than they would have been if they were singletons or not with someone around the same age.

Originally Posted by mrblanche

If you wanted to experiment, I could lend you FlambÃ[emoji]169[/emoji]. He's an inexhaustible player and gladly wrestles with much larger cats. He's on the small side, only about 8 pounds. He's technically a foster and available for adoption. Already neutered and vaccinated. What a deal!

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LOL LOL LOL I'm sure my husband would go for that! "Hey, honey, we're going to catsit a foster for awhile. It may become permanent!"

I spoke with a lady at a rescue group today and she encouraged me to go to the PetsMart where the city pound has their kitties. The problem is, I need a kitty that's NOT dominant or alpha at all! That's part of our problem, I think. Both Hannah and Tumbles have very dominant personalities. So I want to work with a group or someone who knows the kitties and how they interact with other cats.

Originally Posted by stephanietx

I spoke with a lady at a rescue group today and she encouraged me to go to the PetsMart where the city pound has their kitties. The problem is, I need a kitty that's NOT dominant or alpha at all! That's part of our problem, I think. Both Hannah and Tumbles have very dominant personalities. So I want to work with a group or someone who knows the kitties and how they interact with other cats.

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Flambe is not an Alpha... At least I didn't get that impression at all... He is a Clown of a kitty! You'd fall in love! I suspect the kitties too......

Sounds like Mike knows Flambe pretty well.

Seriously - I think "catsitting for a foster kitty" is a GREAT way to get a new kitty in the door!

I definitely think a playmate for Tumbles is a good idea, if you think the two residents would accept a new housemate.

Try looking at fostered kitties (like Flambe), either foster based groups or groups that put "surplus" cats into foster care - then you can get a better idea of purrsonality.

I think it's a good idea to give it a try, only try to get 1 close to Tumbles age. You already know how it went for me, due to the 3 of them being different ages and stages of life.

If you go to a shelter, ask them for some suggestions. For example, from what I know of Sheba, which we adopted for my brother, I knew she would be a great addition to a multi-cat household. And so she has turned out. Not a mean bone in her body, loves to play, but can stand being ignored.

Yes, I would miss Flambe...but he IS a foster, and as long as we have him, we're limited on who else we can help.

He's a pill and half, as Carolina said.

Mike, do you have any recent pics of Flambe you could post? This is getting intriguing.

Originally Posted by LDG

Seriously - I think "catsitting for a foster kitty" is a GREAT way to get a new kitty in the door!

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I think it's a great plan

Originally Posted by stephanietx

Mike, do you have any recent pics of Flambe you could post? This is getting intriguing.

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Here he is

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...ghlight=Flambe

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...ghlight=Flambe

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...ghlight=Flambe

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...ghlight=Flambe

Originally Posted by stephanietx

Mike, do you have any recent pics of Flambe you could post? This is getting intriguing.

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While those photos are several months old, he looks the same. He is a small cat, with delicate features.

Here he is, on top of my desk.



Of course, I think you should check close to you to be sure there isn't anyone who desparately needs to get rid of a cat/kitten.